Ordethoughttocatchtheechoofquotationinthesewords。
　　"Didyourmothersendyoutome？"heasked。
　　"Ifwehadanyoneelseworththenameofmaninthefamily，I
　　wouldn’thavetocome，"saidKendrick，almostinthemannerofonerepeatingalesson。
　　"Whatdoyouwantmetodo？"askedOrdeafteramomentofthought。
　　"Goaway，"criedKendrick。"Stopthisunmanlycontestagainstadefencelesswoman。"
　　"Icannotdothat，"repliedOrdequietly。
　　Kendrick’sfaceassumedalividpallor，andhiseyesseemedtoturnblackwithexcitement。Tremblingineverylimb，butwithouthesitation，headvancedonOrde，drewashortriding—whipfrombeneathhiscoat，andslashedtheyoungmanacrosstheface。Ordemadeaninvoluntarymovementtoarise，butsankback，andlookedsteadilyattheboy。OnceagainKendrickhit；raisedhisarmforthethirdtime；hesitated。Hislipswrithed，andthen，withasob，hecastthelittlewhipfromhimandburstfromtheroom。
　　Ordesatwithoutmoving，whiletworedlinesslowlydefinedthemselvesacrosshisface。Thetheatricalqualityofthesceneandtheturgidrhetoricalbathosoftheboy’sspeechesattestedhisyouthandtheunformedviolenceofhisemotions。Didtheyalsoindicatearehearsal，orhadtheboymerelybeengoadedtovagueactionbyimplicitbeliefinawoman’svagaries？Ordedidnotknow，buttheincidentbroughthometohim，asnothingelsecould，theturmoilofthathousehold。
　　"Pooryoungster！"heconcludedhisreverie，andwenttowashhisfaceinhotwater。
　　HehadleftCarrollthatafternooninacomparativelyphilosophicalandhopefulframeofmind。Thenextdayshecametohimwithhurried，nervoussteps，herusuallypalecheeksmountingdangersignalsofflamingred，hereyesswimming。Whenshegreetedhimshechoked，andtwoofthetearsoverflowed。Quiteunmindfulofthenursemaidsacrossthesquare，Ordeputhisarmcomfortinglyabouthershoulder。Shehidherfaceagainsthissleeveandbegansoftlytocry。
　　Ordedidnotattemptasyettodrawfromherthecauseofthisunusualagitation。Aparkbenchstoodbetweentwodensebushes，screenedfromalldirectionssaveone。Tothisheledher。Hecomfortedherasonecomfortsachild，strokingclumsilyherhair，murmuringtrivialitieswithoutmeaning，lettingheremotionrelieveitself。Afterawhilesherecoveredsomewhathercontrolofherselfandsatupawayfromhim，dabbingathereyeswithahandkerchiefdampenedintoatinywad。Butevenaftershehadshakenherheadvigorouslyatlast，andsmiledupathimrathertremulouslyintokenthatthestormwasover，shewouldnottellhimthatanythingdefinitehadhappenedtobringontheoutburst。
　　"Ijustneededyou，"shesaid，"that’sall。It’sjustnothingbutbeingawoman，Ithink。You’llgetusedtolittlethingslikethat。"
　　"Thisthinghasgottoquit！"saidhegrimly。
　　Shesaidnothing，butreachedupshylyandtouchedhisfacewhereKendrick’swhiphadstung，andhereyesbecameverytender。A
　　carriagerolledaroundWashingtonArch，and，comingtoastand，dischargeditssinglepassengeronthepavement。
　　"Why，it’sGerald！"criedCarroll，surprised。
　　Theyoungman，catchingsightofthem，pickedhiswaydaintilyandleisurelytowardthem。Hewas，asusual，dressedwithmeticulousnicety，thecarnationinhisbutton—hole，theglossonhishatandshoes，thefreshnessonhisgloves，thecorrectangleonhisstick。
　　Hisdark，longfacewithitsromanticmoustache，anditsalmosteffeminatesofteyes，wasasunemotionalandweariedasever。Asheapproached，heraisedhisstickslightlybywayofsalutation。
　　"Ihavebrought，"saidhe，"acarriage，andIwishyouwouldbothdomethefavourtoaccompanymeonashortexcursion。"
　　Takingtheirconsentforgranted，hesignalledthevehicle，whichrapidlyapproached。
　　Thethree——CarrollandOrdesomewhatbewildered——tooktheirseats。
　　Duringabriefdrive，Geraldmadeconversationondifferenttopics，apparentlyquiteindifferentastowhetherornothiscompanionsreplied。Afteranintervalthecarriagedrewupoppositeabrown—
　　stonedwellingonasidestreet。Geraldrangthebell，andamomentlaterthethreewereusheredbyadiscreetandelderlymaidintoalittlesquarereception—roomimmediatelyoffthehall。Themaidwithdrew。
　　Geraldcarefullydepositedhistophatonthefloor，placedinithisgloves，andleanedhisstickagainstitsbrim。
　　"Ihavebroughtyouhere，amongotherpurposes，tohearfrommealittlebriefwisdomdrawnfromexperienceandtheobservationoflife，"hebegan，addressinghisexpectantandcuriousguests。"Thatwisdomisbrieflythis：therecomesatimeintheaffairsofeveryhouseholdwhenamanmustasserthimselfastheruler。Inallthedetailshemaydependonthewoman’sjudgment，experience，andknowledge，butwhenitcomestothebigcrises，wherelifeisdeflectedintoonechannelortheother，then，unlessthemandoesthedeciding，heislostforever，andhishappiness，andthehappinessofthosewhodependonhim。Thisisabstruse，butIcometotheparticularapplicationshortly。
　　"Butmomentsofdecisionarealwayscloudedbymanyconsiderations。
　　Thedecisionissuretocutacrossmuchthatisexpedient，muchthatseemstobenecessary，muchthatisdear。Carrollremembersthecaseofourownfather。Thegeneralwouldhavemadeanameforhimselfinthearmy；hiswifedemandedhisretirement；heretired，andhiscareerended。Thatwasthemomentofhisdecision。Itisveryeasytosay，inviewofthatsimplestatement，thatthegeneralwasweakinyieldingtohiswife，butaconsiderationofthecircumstances——"
　　"Whydoyousayallthis？"interruptedOrde。
　　Geraldraisedhishand。
　　"Believeme，itisnecessary，asyouwillagreewhenyouhaveheardmethrough。Mrs。Bishopwasinpoorhealth；thegeneralinpoorfinancialcircumstances。ThedoctorssaidtheRiviera。Mrs。
　　Bishop’sparents，whowerewealthy，furnishedthemoneyforhersojourninthatclimate。Shecouldnotbeartobeseparatedfromherhusband。Arefusaltoresignthen，arefusaltoacceptthefinancialaidoffered，wouldhavebeencastagainsthimasareproach——hedidnotlovehiswifeenoughtosacrificehispride，hisambition，hiswhat—you—will。Nevertheless，thatwashismomentofdecision。
　　"Icouldmultiplyinstances，yetitwouldonlyaccumulateneedlessproof。Mypointisthatinthesegreatmomentsamancanaffordtotakeintoconsiderationonlytheaffairitself。Nevermusthethinkofanythingbutthesimpleelementsoftheproblem——hemustignorewhosetoesaretroddenupon，whosefeelingsarehurt，whosehappinessisapparentlymarred。Fornotethis：ifamandoesfearlesslytherightthing，Iamconvincedthatinthereadjustmentalltheseconflictinginterestsfindthemselvesbetteredinsteadofinjured。Youwantaconcreteinstance？Ibelievefirmlythatifthegeneralhadkepttohisarmylife，andmadehiswifeconformtoit，afterthestormhadpassedshewouldhavesettleddowntoahappyexistence。Icannotproveit——Ibelieveit。"
　　"Thismaybeallverytrue，Gerald，"saidOrde，"butIfailtoseewhyyouhavebroughtustothisstrangehousetotellit。"
　　"Inamoment，"repliedGerald。"Havepatience。Believingthatthoroughly，Ihavecomeinthelasttwenty—fourhourstoadecision。
　　Thatthishappensnottoaffectmyownimmediatefortunesdoesnotseemtometoinvalidatemyphilosophy。"
　　Hecarefullyunbuttonedhisfrockcoat，crossedhislegs，producedapaperandapackagefromhisinsidepocket，andeyedthetwobeforehim。
　　"Ihavehere，"hewentonsuddenly，"marriagepapersdulymadeout；
　　inthispackageisaplaingoldring；inthenextroomiswaiting，byprearrangement，averygoodfriendofmineintheclergy。
　　PersonallyIamatyourdisposal。"
　　Helookedatthemexpectantly。
　　"Theverything！""Oh，no！"criedOrdeandCarrollinunison。
　　Nevertheless，inspiteofthisdivergenceofopinion，tenminuteslaterthethreepassedthroughthedoorintothebackapartment——
　　Carrollstillhesitant，Ordeintriumph，Geraldascorrectandunemotionalasever。
　　Inthisbackroomtheyfoundwaitingayoungclergymanconversingeasilywithtwoyounggirls。AtthesightofCarroll，theselatterrushedforwardandoverwhelmedherwithendearments。Carrollbrokeintoaquicklysuppressedsobandclaspedthemclosetoher。
　　"Oh，youdears！"shecried，"I’msogladyou’rehere！"SheflashedagratefullookinGerald’sdirection，andamomentlatertookoccasiontopresshisarmandwhisper：
　　"You’vethoughtofeverything！You’rethedearestbrotherintheworld！"
　　Geraldreceivedthiscalmly，andsetaboutorganisingtheceremony。
　　Infifteenminutesthelittlepartyseparatedatthefrontdoor，amidachatterofcongratulationsandgoodwishes。Mr。andMrs。
　　Ordeenteredthecabanddroveaway。
　　XX
　　"Oh，itISthebestway，dear，afterall！"criedCarroll，pressingclosetoherhusband。"AfewminutesagoIwasalldoubtsandfears，butnowIfeelsosafeandsettled，"shelaughedhappily。
　　"ItisasthoughIhadbelongedtoyoualways，youoldRockofGibraltar！andanythingthathappensnowwillcomefromtheoutside，andnotfromtheinside，won’tit，dear？"
　　"Yes，sweetheart，"saidOrde。
　　"Poormother！Iwonderhowshe’lltakeit。"
　　"We’llsoonknow，anyway，"repliedOrde，alittlegrimly。
　　InthehallwayoftheBishophouseOrdekissedher。
　　"Bebrave，sweetheart，"saidhe，"butrememberthatnowyou’remywife。"
　　Shenoddedathimgravelyanddisappeared。
　　Ordesatinthedimparlourforwhatseemedtobeaninterminableperiod。Occasionallythesoundsofdistantvoicesrosetohisearanddiedawayagain。Thefrontdooropenedtoadmitsomeone，butOrdecouldnotseewhoitwas。Twiceascurryingoffeetoverheadseemedtoindicatethebustleofexcitement。Theafternoonwaned。
　　Afaintwhiffofcooking，escapingthroughsomecarelesslyopendoor，wasbornetohisnostrils。Itgrewdark，butthelampsremainedunlighted。Finallyheheardtherustleoftheportieres，andturnedtoseethedimformofthegeneralstandingthere。
　　"Badbusiness！badbusiness！"mutteredtheoldman。"It’sveryhardonme。Perhapsyoudidtherightthing——youmustbegoodtoher——
　　butIcannotcountenancethisaffair。Itwasmosthigh—handed，sir！"
　　Theportieresfellagain，andhedisappeared。
　　Finally，afteranotherinterval，Carrollreturned。Shewentimmediatelytothegas—fixture，whichshelit。Ordethensawthatshewassobbingviolently。Shecametohim，andforamomenthidherfaceagainsthisbreast。Hepattedherhair，waitingforhertospeak。Afteralittleshecontrolledherself。
　　"Howwasit？"askedOrde，then。
　　Sheshivered。
　　"Ineverknewpeoplecouldbesocruel，"shecomplainedinalmostabewilderedmanner。"Jack，wemustgoto—night。She——shehasorderedmeoutofthehouse，andsayssheneverwantstoseemyfaceagain。"Shebrokedownforasecond。"Oh，Jack！shecan’tmeanthat。I’vealwaysbeenagooddaughtertoher。Andshe’sverybitteragainstGerald。Oh！Itoldheritwasn’thisfault，butshewon’tlisten。ShesentforthatodiousMr。Merritt——herrector，youknow——andhesupportedher。Ibelievehe’sangrybecausewedidnotgotohim。Couldyoubelievesuchathing！Andshe’sshutherselfupinherairofhighvirtue，andunderneathitshe’s，oh，soangry！"
　　"Well，it’snaturalsheshouldbeupset，"comfortedOrde。"Don’tthinktoomuchofwhatshedoesnow。Latershe’llgetoverit。"
　　Carrollshiveredagain。
　　"Youdon’tknow，dear，andI’mnotgoingtotellyou。Why，"shecried，"shetoldmethatyouandIwereinaconspiracytodrivehertohergravesowecouldgethermoney！"
　　"Shemustbealittlecrazy，"saidOrde，stillpacifically。
　　"Come，helpme，"saidCarroll。"Imustgetmythings。"
　　"Can’tyoujustpackabagandleavetherestuntiltomorrow？It’sabouthungrytime"
　　"ShesaysImusttakeeverystitchbelongingtometonight。"
　　Theypackedtrunksuntillatethatnight，quitealone。Geraldhaddepartedpromptlyafterbreakingthenews，probablywithoutrealisingtowhatapassaffairswouldcome。Afrightenedservant，evidentlyindisobedienceofordersandinfearofdestruction，broughtthematrayoffood，whichsheputdownonasmalltableandhastilyfled。InaroomdownthehalltheycouldhearthemurmurofvoiceswhereMrs。Bishopreceivedspiritualconsolationfromheradviser。Whenthetrunkswerepacked，Ordesentforabaggagewaggon。Carrollwentsilentlyfromplacetoplace，sayingfarewelltosuchofhertreasuresasshehadmadeuphermindtoleave。OrdescribbledanotetoGerald，requestinghimtopackupthemiscellaniesandsendthemtoMichiganbyfreight。ThebaggagemanandOrdecarriedthetrunksdownstairs。Nooneappeared。CarrollandOrdewalkedtogethertothehotel。NextmorninganinterviewwithGeraldconfirmedthemintheirresolutionofimmediatedeparture。
　　"Sheissetinheroppositionnow，andatpresentshebelievesfirmlythatherinfluencewillseparateyou。Suchastateofmindcannotbechangedinanhour。"
　　"Andyou？"askedCarroll。
　　"Oh，I，"heshrugged，"willgoonasusual。Ihavemyinterests。"
　　"Iwishyouwouldcomeoutinourpartofthecountry，"venturedOrde。
　　Geraldsmiledhisfinesmile。
　　"Good—bye，"saidhe。"Goingtoatrainisuseless，andaboretoeverybody。"
　　Carrollthrewherselfonhisneckinanaccessofpassionateweeping。
　　"YouWILLwriteandtellmeofeverything，won’tyou？"shebegged。
　　"Ofcourse。Therenow，good—bye。"
　　Ordefollowedhimintothehall。
　　Itwouldbequiteuselesstoattemptanotherinterview？"heinquired。
　　Geraldmadealittlemouth。
　　"Iaminthesamepredicamentasyourselves，"saidhe，"andhavesinceninethismorningtakenupmyquartersattheclub。PleasedonottellCarroll；itwouldonlypainher。"
　　Atthestation，justbeforetheypassedintothetrain，thegeneralappeared。
　　"There，there！"hefussed。"Ifyourmothershouldhearofmybeinghere，itwouldbeaverybadbusiness，verybad。Thisisverysad；
　　but——well，good—bye，dear；andyou，sir，begoodtoher。Andwriteyourdaddy，Carroll。He’llbelonesomeforyou。"Heblewhisnoseveryloudlyandwipedhisglasses。"Now，runalong，runalong，"hehurriedthem。"Letusnothaveanyscenes。Here，mydear，openthisenvelopewhenyouarewellstarted。Itmayhelpcheerthejourney。Notaword！"
　　Hehurriedthemthroughthegate，payingnoheedtowhattheyweretryingtosay。Thenhesteamedawayandbustledintoacabwithoutoncelookingback。
　　WhenthetrainhadpassedtheHarlemRiverandwasswayingitsunevenwayacrosstheopencountry，Carrollopenedtheenvelope。Itcontainedacheckforathousanddollars。
　　"Dearolddaddy！"shemurmured。"Ouronlyweddingpresent！"
　　"Youarethecapitalistofthefamily，"saidOrde。"Youdon’tknowhowpooramanyou’vemarried。Ihaven’tmuchmorethantheproverbialsilverwatchandbadnickel。"
　　Shereachedouttopresshishandinreassurance。Hecomparedithumorouslywithhisown。
　　"Whatahomely，knotted，tannedoldthingitisbyyours，"saidhe。
　　"It’sastronghand，"sherepliedsoberly，"it’sadearhand。"
　　Suddenlyshesnatcheditupandpresseditforafleetinginstantagainsthercheek，lookingathimhalfashamed。
　　XXI
　　ThewintermonthswerespentatMonrovia，whereOrdeandhiswifelivedforatimeatthehotel。Thiswassomewhatexpensive，butOrdewasnotquitereadytodecideonahome，andhedevelopedunexpectedoppositiontolivingatReddingintheOrdehomestead。
　　"No，I’vebeenthinkingaboutit，"hetoldGrandmaOrde。"Ayoungcoupleshouldstartoutontheirownresponsibility。Iknowyou’dbegladtohaveus，butIthinkit’sbettertheotherway。Besides，ImustbeatMonroviaagooddealofthetime，andIwantCarrollwithme。Shecanmakeyouagoodlongvisitinthespring，whenI
　　havetogoupriver。"
　　TothisGrandmaOrde，beingawiseoldlady，hadtonodherassent，althoughshewouldmuchhavelikedhersonnearher。
　　AtMonrovia，then，theytookuptheirquarters。Carrollsoonbecameacquaintedwiththelifeoftheplace。Monrovia，likemosttownsofitssortandsize，consistedofanupperstratumofmillownersandlumberoperators，possessedofconsiderablewealth，somecultivation，anddefinitesocialideas；agawky，countrified，middleestateofstorekeepers，cateringbothtothefarmandlocaltradeandthelumbermilloperatives，generallyofHollandextraction，whodweltinsimpleunpaintedboardshanties。Theclassfirstmentionedcomprisedasmallcoterie，amongwhomCarrollsoonfoundtwoorthreecongenials——EdithFuller，wifeoftheyoungcashierinthebank；ValerieCathcart，whosehusbandhadbeenkilledintheCivilWar；ClaraTaylor，wifeoftheleadingyounglawyerofthevillage；
　　and，strangelyenough，MinaHeinzman，thesixteen—year—olddaughterofoldHeinzman，thelumberman。NothingwasmoreindicativeoftheabsolutedivorceofbusinessandsociallifethantheunbrokenevennessofCarroll’sfriendshipfortheyoungergirl。ThoughlatertheoldGermanandOrdelockedinseriousstruggleontheriver，theycontinuedtomeetsociallyquiteasusual；andthedaughterofoneandthewifeoftheotherneversuspectedanythingoutoftheordinary。Thisimpersonalityofstrugglehasalwaysbeencharacteristicofthepioneerbusinessman’sgood—nature。
　　Newmarkreceivedthenewsofhispartner’ssuddenmarriagewithoutevincinganysurprise，butwithasardonicgleaminonecornerofhiseye。Hecalledpromptly，conversedpolitelyforahalfhour，andthentookhisleave。
　　"Howdoyoulikehim？"askedOrde，whenhehadgone。
　　"Helookslikeaveryshrewdman，"repliedCarroll，pickingherwordsforfearofsayingthewrongthing。
　　Ordelaughed。
　　"Youdon’tlikehim，"hestated。
　　"Idon’tdislikehim，"saidCarroll。"I’venotathingagainsthim。
　　Butwecouldneverbeintheslightestdegreesympathetic。HeandI
　　don’t——don’t——"
　　"Don’tjibe，"Ordefinishedforher。"Ididn’tmuchthinkyouwould。Joeneverwasmuchofasocietybug。"ItwasonthetipofCarroll’stonguetoreplythat"societybugs"werenottheonlysortshecouldappreciate，butsherefrained。Shehadbeguntorealisetheextentofherinfluenceoverherhusband’sopinion。
　　Newmarkdidnotliveatthehotel。Earlyinthefallhehadrentedasmallone—storyhousesituatedjustoffMainStreet，setwellbackfromthesidewalkamongclumpsofoleanders。Intothisheretiredasasnailintoitsshell。Atfirsthetookhismealsatthehotel，butlaterheimportedanimpassive，secretiveman—servant，whotookchargeofhimcompletely。Neithermasternormanmadeanyfriends，andinfactrebuffedalladvances。OneSunday，CarrollandOrde，outforawalk，passedthisquaintlittleplace，withitspicketfence。
　　"Let’sgoinandreturnJoe’scall，"suggestedOrde。
　　Theirknockatthedoorbroughtthecalmvalet。
　　"Mr。Newmarkish’out，sir，"saidhe。"Yes，sir，I’lltellhimthatyoucalled。"
　　Theyturnedaway。Astheysauntereddownthelittlebrick—laidwalk，Carrollsuddenlypressedclosetoherhusband’sarm。
　　"Jack，"shebegged，"Iwantalittlehouselikethat，forourveryown。"
　　"Wecan’taffordit，sweetheart。"
　　"Nottoown，"sheexplained，"justtorent。Itwillbenextbesttohavingahomeofourown。"
　　"We’dhavetohaveagirl，dear，"saidOrde，"andwecan’tevenaffordthat，yet。"
　　"Agirl！"criedCarrollindignantly。"Forustwo！"
　　"Youcouldn’tdothehouseworkandthecooking，"saidOrde。"You’veneverdonesuchathinginyourlife，andIwon’thavemylittlegirlslaving。"
　　"Itwon’tbeslaving，itwillbefun——justlikeplay—housekeeping，"
　　protestedCarroll。"AndI’vegottolearnsometime。Iwasbroughtupmostabsurdly，andIrealiseitnow。"
　　"We’llsee，"saidOrdevaguely。
　　Thesubjectwasdroppedforthetimebeing。LaterCarrollbroughtitupagain。Shewasarmedwithseveralsheetsofhotelstationery，coveredwithfiguresshowinghowmuchcheaperitwouldbetokeephousethantoboard。
　　"Youcertainlymakeoutastrongcase——onpaper，"laughedOrde。"Ifyoubuyaroosterandahen，andsheraisestwobroods，attheendofayearyou’llhavetwenty—six；andiftheyallbreed——evenallowinghalfroosters——you’llhaveoverthreehundred；andiftheyallbreed，you’llhaveaboutthirty—fivehundred；andif——"
　　"Stop！stop！"criedCarroll，coveringherears。
　　"Allright，"agreedOrdeequably，"butthat’sthewayitfigures。
　　Funnytheearthisn’toverrunwithchickens，isn’tit？"
　　Shethrusthertablesoffiguresintoherdeskdrawer。"You’rejustmakingfunofmealways，"shesaidreproachfully。
　　TwodayslaterOrdetookheroneblockupthestreettolookatatinylittlehousetuckedonafifty—footlotbeneaththeshadowofthechurch。
　　"It’smightylittle，"saidhe。"I’llhavetogooutinthehalltochangemycollar，andwecouldn’thavemorethantwopeopleatatimetocallonus。"
　　"It’sadear！"saidshe，"andI’mnotsoe—nor—mousmyself，whateverYOUmaybe。"
　　Theyendedbyrentingthelittlehouse，andCarrolltookchargeofitdelightedly。Whatdifficultiessheovercame，andwhatlaughableandcryablemistakesshemadeonlythosewhohaveencounteredalikesituationcouldrealise。Shelearnedfast，however，andtookarealprideinhertinyboxofahome。Apianowas，ofcourse，outofthequestion，butthegreatgoldenharpoccupiedonecorner，orratheroneside，oftheparlour。Standingthusenshroudedinitscovering，itratherresembledanaugustandtremendousveileddeity。ToCarroll’sgreatdelight，Ordeusedsolemnlytogodownonallfoursandknockhisforeheadthriceonthefloorbeforeitwhenheenteredthehouseatevening。Whentheverycoldweathercameandtheyhadtolightthebase—burnerstove，whichOrdestoutlymaintainedoccupiedalltheotherhalfoftheparlour，theharp’sdelicateconstitutionnecessitateditsstandinginthehall。Nevertheless，Carrollhadgreatcomfortfromit。WhileOrdewasawayattheoffice，shewhisperedthroughitsmellowstringshergreathappiness，thedreamsforheryoungmotherhoodwhichwouldcomeinthesummer，thevagueandlingeringpainoverthehaplessbutbelovedonesshehadleftbehindherinherotherlife。Thenshearoserefreshed，andwentaboutthesimpledutiesofhertinydomain。
　　Thewinterwassevere。Alltheworldwaswhite。ThepilesofsnowalongthesidewalksgrewuntilCarrollcouldhardlylookoverthem。
　　Greatfiercewindssweptinfromthelake。SometimesOrdeandhiswifedrovetwomilestothetopofthesandhills，wherefirsttheyhadmetinthistheirpresenthome，andlookedoutbeyondthetumbledshoreicetothesteel—gray，angrywaters。Thewindprickedtheirfaces，and，goinghome，thesleigh—bellsjingled，thesnowballsfromthehorses’hoofshitagainstthedash，thecoldairsearedtheinsideoftheirnostrils。WhenOrdehelpedCarrollfrombeneaththewarmbuffalorobes，shehelduptohimafaceglowingwithcolour，framedinthesoftfluffyfurofahood。
　　"Youdarling！"hecried，andstoopedtokisshersmooth，coldcheek。
　　Whenhehadreturnedfromthestablearoundthecorner，hefoundthelitlampthrowingitsmodifiedlightandshadeoverthelittleroundtable。Heshookdownthebase—burnervigorously，thrustseveralbilletsofwoodinitsdoor，andturnedtomeethereyesacrossthetable。
　　"Kindoffunbeingmarried，isn’tit？"saidhe。
　　"Kindof，"sheadmitted，noddinggravely。
　　Thebusinessofthefirmwasbynowaboutinshape。Alltheboomarrangementshadbeenmade；thetwotugswereinthewaterandtheirmachineryinstalled；suppliesandequipmentswerestoredaway；theforemenofthecrewsengaged，andthecrewsthemselvesprettywellpickedout。Onlythereneededtobuildthewanigan，andtocartinthesuppliesfortheupperriverworksbeforethespringbreak—upandthealmostcompletedisappearanceoftheroads。Therefore，Ordehadthegoodfortuneofunusualleisuretoenjoythesefirstmonthswithhisbride。TheyenteredtogethertheUnexploredCountry，andfounditmorewonderfulthantheyhaddreamed。Almostbeforetheyknewit，JanuaryandFebruaryhadflown。